OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens rookie wide receiver Marquise Brown has taken another step toward establishing his “Hollywood” nickname at the next level.
The first-round pick took his first full-team reps of training camp Saturday, but the Ravens defense wasn’t ready to anoint the former Oklahoma superstar just yet. Inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor was only willing to give Brown the first half of the moniker, but encouraging signs were there as the speedster caught five passes in roughly a dozen snaps split between 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods of practice. Brown took reps with Lamar Jackson and the starting offense as well as with fellow rookie Trace McSorley and the second string.
“They’re always joking around,” said Brown, who also dropped a pass thrown slightly behind him by McSorley. “They’re like, ‘You’re Holly right now. You don’t get the full name.’ I’m just trying to make some plays to earn my name.”
The Ravens have brought Brown along slowly since he made his practice debut on July 31. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound receiver had only taken part in individual position drills and did not play in the preseason opener against Jacksonville, but he was pleased to finally be competing against defenders again.
Head coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal about Brown’s status for the second exhibition game against Green Bay after the rookie sat out the final 30 minutes of the 2 1/2-hour workout. His activity level being ramped up is certainly a welcome sight for the organization that made him the first wide receiver selected in the 2019 draft and just the fourth wide receiver to be chosen in the first round in franchise history, joining Travis Taylor (2000), Mark Clayton (2005), and Breshad Perriman (2015).
Having undergone Lisfranc surgery on his left foot in January, Brown was still experiencing soreness when making certain cuts at the start of training camp. Minimizing that discomfort was considered the final hurdle for his return to the field, but the Ravens will continue to exercise caution with the start of the regular season still four weeks away.
“It seemed like he handled quite a bit,” Harbaugh said. “He was out there in quite a few drills, and we’ll see how he responds tomorrow with that. It’s a good first step. We’re all happy to see it.”
Brown told reporters his foot feels good, but he’s still regaining his confidence and pre-injury form, according to his position coach. That hasn’t stopped his speed from standing out, however.
#Ravens rookie wide receiver Marquise Brown during individual work today: pic.twitter.com/C7tkUWqT8b
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) August 10, 2019
“He looked real fast,” wide receivers coach David Culley said. “He didn’t feel fast, but I told him I didn’t see anything that would say that he’s been injured. He’s not quite where he was before, but I like where he’s at right now.”
Injury report
The Ravens returned to practice for the first time since their 29-0 victory over Jacksonville with three veteran players missing from the field.
Wide receiver Seth Roberts, running back Kenneth Dixon, and cornerback Maurice Canady didn’t practice with undisclosed ailments. Injuries severely hampered both Dixon and Canady over their first three seasons, a factor working against them in their respective battles for roster spots in deep position groups.
“Just little things. Nothing that will keep anybody out for too long,” said Harbaugh of the three injuries. “I don’t remember off the top of my head what they were. Seth just told me there that he’ll be back pretty quick — within a week or so. That’s what he said. The docs said it was maybe two or something, but nothing serious.”
Harbaugh confirmed outside linebacker Mike Onuoha sustained a broken wrist in Thursday’s game and will be out indefinitely. Linebacker Nicholas Grigsby and offensive lineman Randin Crecelius were also absent from Saturday’s practice after sitting out the preseason opener.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III continues to do light throwing with the football, but Harbaugh reiterated he won’t play in the preseason as his right thumb heals.
“He has the protective device on his thumb, so it’s just a matter of gripping the ball,” Harbaugh said. “He won’t be able to do anything until that fracture heals, which is a time frame. I think it’s three to four weeks before it even heals, and then we’ll work from there. We anticipate the first week of the season, if all goes well.”
The Ravens signed former Philadelphia and Carolina defensive tackle Elijah Qualls, who was a 2017 sixth-round pick of the Eagles. The Washington product has appeared in six career games and filled the open 90-man roster spot created by the Alex Lewis trade.
